How Much Does It Cost To Rent a Moving Truck?
Fact Checked by: Quick answer: For local moves, you’ll generally pay a flat per-day fee of $20–$60 plus a per-mile rate to rent a moving truck. For long-distance moves, expect to pay $800–$3,000 based on the size of the truck and the distance of your move.
When deciding which of the best rental truck companies to choose from, cost is likely a top concern. Read on to learn what affects moving truck rental costs and which truck options are best for you.
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Moving truck rental costs: Local vs. long-distance
The first thing to understand about moving truck rental costs is that local and long-distance moves are priced differently.
Local moving rental truck costs
For local moves, you’ll pay a flat per-day rate for renting the truck, with larger trucks having a higher per-day rate. For example, you might pay $29.99 for a 12-foot truck but $59.99 for a 26-foot truck.
In addition to the per-day rate, you’ll also be charged a per-mile fee (such as $0.79 per mile). Per-mile fees are usually the same regardless of the size of the moving truck, but rates may vary based on your location.
Long-distance moving rental truck costs
When driving a moving truck for a long-distance move, you’ll instead be charged a per-trip rate. This fee typically includes unlimited mileage and a maximum number of days you can use the rental based on the distance of your move.
Keep in mind that for both local and long-distance moves, you will be responsible for fuel costs. Truck rental companies usually require that you return the truck with a full tank of gas.
| Move Distance | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Local/in-town | $60–$200 (including mileage and fuel) |
| Long-distance/one-way | $800–$3,500 (mileage and fuel not included) |
Factors that impact the cost to rent a moving truck
With both local and long-distance moves, several factors determine the total cost of your moving truck rental:
- The size of the truck: What size truck you rent will be one of the biggest factors influencing your moving costs. Naturally, the bigger the truck, the more expensive your rental will be. The largest trucks are often double the cost of smaller trucks for local moves, and also much more expensive for long-distance moves.
- Mileage: For local moves, you pay a per-mile rate. This means the more mileage you put on the moving truck, the more you’ll owe when you return it (a good motivator to reduce the number of trips you take). For long-distance moves, mileage is calculated as part of your moving quote, with longer moves naturally costing more.
- Your starting and ending locations: For local moves, daily rental rates and per-mile fees will vary by location. Similarly, with long-distance moves, your flat rate will be partially based on your origin location and destination. Where you move can increase or lower your moving costs.
- The time of year: Just like with full-service movers, moving truck rental rates may be cheaper if you choose a midweek moving date, rather than moving on the weekend, which tends to be busier. You will also usually find lower rates by renting a moving truck outside of the peak summer season, especially for long-distance moves. Winter tends to be cheapest.
- Move duration: Local moves are charged at a per-day rate, so keeping your move to a single day will help you save money. Long-distance moves include a certain number of days as part of your flat rate, but you can add extra days for a fee.
- Hidden fees: Most moving truck rental companies charge environmental fees and taxes, which could affect your total rate. You should also be mindful of fuel costs, which are not included as part of your moving truck rental.
- Optional add-ons: Most moving truck rental companies offer optional insurance to cover damage and liability if you are involved in an accident. Some also sell packing supplies or allow you to rent additional moving equipment such as dollies or blankets.
Comparing costs by moving truck size
Moving truck rentals are categorized by their size, and tuck sizes can vary by company. For example, U-Haul offers a 10-foot truck that is smaller than those offered by other truck rental companies. Truck availability may also vary by location.
Here are some sample costs for renting a truck for a local move in Ashburn, Virginia.
| Truck Size | Best For | Average Cost |
|---|---|---|
| 10–12 feet | Studio apartment or 1-bedroom apartment | $20–$100 per day |
| 15–20 feet | 1–2 bedrooms | $30–$100 per day |
| 26 feet | 3–5 bedrooms | $50–$170 per day |
Choosing the best moving truck rental company
Choosing the right moving truck rental company isn’t just about price — it also depends on factors like availability, quality vehicles, and reliable service.
From our research, we believe the following are the best options for moving truck rentals:
- U-Haul: With 20,000+ locations nationwide, U-Haul offers the best availability of any truck rental option. Competitive rates, roadside assistance, and a host of other moving services make them a popular pick for local and long-distance moves.
- Penske: Penske partners with Home Depot to offer additional pickup and drop-off options for its rental trucks. Penske has a reputation for reliable confirmed reservations, while also offering helpful add-ons like towing equipment and dollies.
- Budget: Budget usually (but not always) offers the best value for moving truck rentals. Though a bit more bare-bones in terms of add-on services, they’re definitely worth considering if you are looking to save money on your move.
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Comparing the top moving truck rentals
Take a look at how these highly rated moving truck rental companies compare in terms of services and cost.
| u-Haul | Penske | Budget | |
|---|---|---|---|
| # of Truck Sizes | 7 | 5 | 4 |
| Storage | ✔ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Roadside Assistance | ✔ | ✔ | ✗ |
| Packing Materials | ✔ | ✔ | ✗ |
| Equipment Rentals | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| One-Way Rentals | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Average Cost For Local Moves* | $20–$50 per day (plus $0.99 per mile) | $30–$80 per day (plus $0.99 per mile) | $20–$150 per day (plus $0.99 per mile) |
| Average Cost For Long-Distance Moves** | $2,098–$2,760 | $2,105–$2,445 | $1,923–$3,313 |
*Based on local moves in Orlando, FL
**Based on an approximately 2,080-mile move from Dallas to Seattle
Tips for saving money on moving truck rentals
Comparing quotes to find the cheapest truck rental rates near you will go a long way in helping you save money. But this isn’t the only way you can save when doing a DIY move.
Here’s how you can save even more on your moving truck rental:
- Provide your own packing supplies. Truck rental companies like U-Haul and Penske also sell packing supplies, but they tend to be more expensive than what you’d get at Walmart or Home Depot (or by looking for free or cheap moving boxes).
- Calculate mileage. A smaller truck may have a cheaper daily rate, but if you have to take multiple trips, the mileage will really add up. Try to get a large enough truck so you can transport everything in a single trip.
- Check for discounts. Truck rental companies like Budget offer moving discounts to students, AAA members, military, and other groups. Seasonal discounts may also be available. It never hurts to double check what discounts different companies offer.
- Return on time and with a full tank. Make sure you return your truck on the agreed-upon date and with a full tank of gas. Otherwise, you’ll get charged extra fees for the late return and for the fuel.
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FAQ
What is the cheapest way to rent a moving truck?
The cheapest way to rent a moving truck is to compare quotes from three moving truck rental companies, such as U-Haul, Budget, and Penske. Be mindful of both daily rates and per-mile rates for local moves, and make sure your moving truck is big enough so you can complete the move in as few trips as possible. You can use our moving cost calculator to generate and compare multiple quotes in minutes.
What time of year are moving trucks cheapest?
Moving trucks are generally cheapest during the winter, as the cold weather makes this a less popular time to move. Lower demand means lower rates.
What is the best day to rent a moving truck?
Monday through Thursday tend to be the best days to rent a moving truck. Because fewer moves take place during the week, there is usually less demand for truck rentals and, therefore, better availability and cheaper rates.
How much is a U-Haul per mile for local moves?
U-Haul’s per mile rate for local moves can vary by location, as well as the size of the truck you rent. You can generally expect to pay $0.79–$0.99 per mile at most locations.
Which company has the cheapest one-way moving truck rentals?
The company that offers the cheapest one-way moving truck rentals will usually vary based on the starting and ending locations of the move. For example, while Budget often offers the lowest rate, U-Haul and Penske may be cheaper depending on the size of the moving truck you need and your starting and ending locations. That’s why we recommend always getting at least three quotes so you can compare your options.
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